Japanese Terrorist: What? I'll fight Hellstar!

"You really mastered it!"

Tomie, who had been stabbed, was seething with hatred.

I hate that others have it, I hate that I don't, and I hate even more that I've become a guinea pig.

The swordsman Tomie glanced at her, holding his katana, remaining silent, his chin slightly raised, his gaze fixed on the distance, exuding an aloof air.

"Tch! What's the use of mastering it? You have a knife, why not just strike directly? Why make others feel the phantom pain of being cut? What's the point?"

Tomie's eyes darted around, and she crossed her arms, chuckling as she spoke.

Although she was trying to undermine the swordsman Tomie's confidence, what she said made sense. With a sword in hand, why would she use illusion magic to create the same effect when she was about to kill an enemy? Wasn't that just a waste of effort?

"cut!"

A clear shout suddenly exploded out. Although it was a shout of breath, it was not a deafening roar, but a crisp and sharp one, like the ringing sound of a blade being drawn from its sheath!

The sound seemed to possess a tangible penetrating power, piercing straight into Tomie's eardrums.

Almost simultaneously, the swordsman Tomie's aura reached its peak; it wasn't just a simple sense of presence, but a powerful killing intent and the will to strike.

Although it cannot yet be called sword intent.

However, combined with the sound timbre simulated by the swordsman Tomie using ventriloquism, that ethereal aura seemed to transform into an invisible blade, slashing towards the target with unparalleled ferocity with that single strike!

Tomie, who was being targeted, suddenly narrowed her eyes.

In her field of vision, the swordsman Tomie was still standing in the same spot, his sword still sheathed.

However, deep within her body, her nerves, and her brain, a remarkably clear illusion arose at a moment before she could even react.

A cold glint!

A chilling, moon-like blade of light burst forth from the imposter's waist, tearing through the air at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow, slashing horizontally toward his own neck!

Fast! Indescribably fast! Inescapable!

"Ugh—!"

The illusion and the feeling of reality were confused in an instant. Tomie didn't have time to think, didn't have time to tell herself that it was just an illusion, and that the slash didn't exist at all.

Her body, urged by her brain and instincts, had already reacted reflexively.

She was thrown backward as if she had been struck by a blade, her neck instinctively shrank back, and her hands involuntarily rose up to protect her vulnerable throat.

The intense, phantom pain, as if her flesh had been ripped open, was clearly transmitted from the skin of her neck, making the hairs on her body stand on end and her heart stop for a moment.

"Clatter".

She staggered back two steps, her back hitting the wall before she managed to steady herself. Her pale face was covered in cold sweat.

Tomie raised her hand to touch her neck; the skin her fingertips touched was smooth and intact, just as before.

However, the feeling of being struck was so real that it left her with lingering fear.

The swordsman Tomie remained standing in the same spot, without even changing the way she held her sword.

She slowly relaxed her tense body, and the terrifying aura quietly dissipated. Looking at the still-shaken Tomie, a mocking smile appeared on her lips.

"Does one not need a sword to kill? A sword is not such an inconvenient thing."

The swordsman Tomie finally spoke, her voice calm yet sharp as a blade.

"Stop talking nonsense... Oh, I see, is that how it is? Humph!"

Tomie retorted to the swordsman Tomie with annoyance, but she immediately realized what had happened.

That's right, hypnosis! It's hypnosis and suggestion.

Although the swordsman Tomie did not wield her sword, the mere sight of her holding it, even without drawing it from its sheath, evoked the image of her drawing her sword and slashing at her target.

The swordsman Tomie's aura and voice, amplified through hypnotic techniques, instantly implanted a suggestion that deceived the target's physical instincts and brain, making the target believe before they even thought that the sword would come down. Furthermore, the powerful aura made the target subconsciously feel that they absolutely could not avoid the blow.

In this way, the opponent will feel as if they have been hit.

Even if you realize it afterward, it's too late.

"Like I said, if it's a stranger and you don't have a knife, how do you convince them you're going to be killed? Don't think you can prove you're tough just by bullying me."

Tomie said defiantly.

"Ha! Still going to argue? I'm only just starting out with Consciousness Slash. I have plenty of time to improve my Consciousness Slash and swordsmanship. One day in the future, I will be able to achieve the effect of slashing without swords."

Seeing that Tomie was still arguing, the swordsman Tomie said with a cold smile.

The mind is superior to matter. According to Ah Lin, this is the underlying logic of this universe. However, she does not expect her consciousness slash to reach the level of causing physical effects. Is it impossible to cultivate sword intent?

"Besides, isn't Ah Lin still researching that so-called 'self-nature'?"

As he spoke, the swordsman Tomie revealed a cunning, fox-like smile.

"Even if Buddhism is rubbish, the finished product of hypnosis can be used as a reference. By studying the usable techniques, my consciousness-slaying technique can be further improved."

Tomie gritted her teeth in jealousy, not wanting to see the swordsman Tomie swaggering around any longer. She snorted heavily through her nose and turned to leave.

However, just as Tomie turned around and took two steps, the swordsman Tomie's calm yet undeniable voice came from behind her.

"Stop right there! Did I say you could leave?"

Tomie paused, her face immediately falling as she turned away from the swordsman. She gritted her teeth inwardly, took a deep breath, turned around to face the swordsman, and asked angrily.

"What? Haven't you had enough of testing your knife on me? I don't have time to play house with you."

"This is not child's play; it is spiritual practice."

The swordsman Tomie planted her katana on the ground, pressing her hands together on the end of the hilt.

"My consciousness slash has just reached the threshold and needs a lot of feedback to adjust the details. I'm too lazy to look for someone else, since you're right here anyway."

"Huh? Why should I be your sparring partner?"

Tomie's tone immediately rose, filled with resentment.

"On what grounds? Do I need a reason?"

With a slight twist of her wrist, the tip of the katana scabbard, which had been resting on the ground, rose up like a venomous snake, pointing towards Tomie's leg.

"Isn't that necessary?"

She tilted her head and said matter-of-factly.

You are weak, so we use you as a guinea pig, no reason needed.

Swordsman Tomie expressed his attitude through simple body language.

Tomie's face was full of displeasure and frustration, yet she couldn't refute it.

The time that followed was torture for Tomie, who was forced to be a sparring partner.

Forced to face the invisible yet incredibly real slashes time and again, she was under immense mental strain, as if dancing on the edge of a knife. Each time she was hit, she had to describe her sensations in detail; deception was impossible. Although the swordsman Tomie's hypnotic technique manifested as a mental attack, her hypnotic skills far surpassed Tomie's.